Prime Minister Applauds Security Cooperation With The United States As United States Southcom Donates Field Hospital To Guyana
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Prime Minister Applauds Security Cooperation With The United States As United States Southcom Donates Field Hospital To Guyana
The Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired), the Honourable Mark Phillips, performing the functions of President, attended a ceremony marking the handover of a $US1.124 million deployable multi-purpose field hospital from the United States Government’s Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) to the Civil Defense Commission (CDC). The event took place today at Playfield, Base Camp Ayanganna.
In his remarks, the Acting Head of State expressed the Government of Guyana’s gratitude for the significant donation, characterizing it as ongoing support in the realm of security cooperation, particularly aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience. Prime Minister Phillips acknowledged the pivotal role of SOUTHCOM in identifying and addressing capability gaps in humanitarian assistance and disaster management, emphasizing the collaborative efforts following the recent TRADEWINDS exercise.
“This is not just about disaster; this is about contributing to the development of Guyana. Our deepest appreciation to SOUTHCOM and to the government and people of the United States of America for this donation and for being with us as we continue on this path of security cooperation that will only lead to the improvement of the lives and livelihoods of the people of Guyana. “
General Richardson, the current commander of SOUTHCOM, received commendation for the ongoing engagement and dedication in addressing identified needs, mentioning previous collaborations such as the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Base Camp Stevenson, a DRM facility in Region Nine, and the anticipated establishment of an EOC/Warehouse complex at Mahdia in Region Eight.
Prime Minister Phillips, responsible for disaster management in Guyana, underscored the significance of the field hospital in advancing the country’s implementation of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) strategy.
“This facility here will help us greatly advance in our implementation of comprehensive disaster management in Guyana, making us more effective and more able to bring relief to the people. “
The handing-over ceremony included an incident simulation exercise, providing practical insight into the capabilities of the newly donated field hospital. US Ambassador to Guyana, HE Nicole D. Theriot, affirmed the United States government’s commitment to supporting Guyana in enhancing its emergency disaster response capabilities and strengthening the enduring partnership between the two nations.
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